Scorrmel  "RwAcev 


Charity  to  Chl\  Are*  E^ovceci 


FROM   THE   LIBRARY   OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY   OF 

PRINCETON   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY 


1¥V' 


CtjrattP  to  CinUutti 

ENFORCED, 


IN  A 

DISCOURSE, 

DELIVERED  IN  TRINITY  CHURCH, 

BOSTON, 

BEFORE  THE  SUBSCRIBERS  TO  THE 

BOSTON  FEMALE  ASTLUM, 

SEPT.  23,180;:, 

AT  THEIR  THIRD  ANNIVERSARY. 


by  Samuel  parser,  d.  p. 

JReclor  of  Trinity  Church. 


BOSTOX, 

PRINTED  BY  RUSSELL  AND  CUTLER. 

l8o^ 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Managers  of  the  BOSTON  FEMALE  ASYLUM, 
on  the  Evening  of  the  23d  Sept.  1803. 


Voted,  That  the  Thanks  of  this  Board  be  prefented  to 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  for  his  devout  and  appropriate  Prayer, 
and  his  animated  and  excellent  Difcourfe,  delivered  before  the 
Members  of  the  Society,  on  the  Third  Anniverfary  ;  and  that 
Mrs.  Hubbard  and  Mrs.  Greene  be  a  Committee  to  wait  on 
him,  in  behalf  of  the  Board,  to  requefl  a  copy  of  both,  for  the 
prefs.  By  Order, 

.     "  ELIZABETH  THURSTON,  Secretary. 


TO  THE  MANAGERS  OF  THE  BOSTON  FEMALE  ASYLUM. 
LADIES, 

The  frequent  occafions  for  Sermons  upon  Charity,  have 
fo  far  exhaufted  the  fubject,  that  nothing  new  is  left  to  be  faid 
upon  it,  and  fcarce  can  even  the  novelty  of  the  vehicle  be  ex- 
pected. If  the  following  Difcourfe,  delivered  at  your  requeft, 
has  had,  or  will  have,  any  tendency  to  promote  the  caufe  of 
your  benevolent  Inftitution,  it  will  be  a  fource  of  gratification 
to  your  very  humble  fervant, 

SAMUEL  PARKER, 


OCCASIONAL  PRAYER. 


THE  EVENING  SERVICE  OF  THE  CHURCH  WAS  READ,  AND  THE 
FOLLOWING  OCCASIONAL  PRAYER  INTRODUCED. 

GLORIOUS  and  Eternal  Lord  God  !  the 
Almighty  Creator, the  beneficcntPrcferver5and  the 
risrhteous  Governor  of  the  Univerfe — We  bow  be- 
fore  thy  Sacred  Majefty,  and  adore  thee  for  thy 
univerfol  Love  difplayed  in  all  thy  Works  of 
Creation,  Providence  and  Redemption.  We 
thank  thee  for  thy  diftinguifhing  mercy  to  us 
thy  dependent  offspring,  whom  thou  didft  create 
in  thine  own  image,  capable  of  thofe  fublime 
pleafures,  which  refult  from  the  knowledge,  the 
imitation,  and  the  favour  of  God  our  Maker. 
That  thou  didft  make  us  fufceptible  of  fuch  im- 
preflions  as  are  fuited  to  all  the  focial,  ufeful  and 
benevolent  purpofes  for  which  we  were  created. 
We  thank  thee  for  the  pure  light  of  the  glorious 
Gofpel  of  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  thou  haft  re- 
conciled the  world  to  thyfelf,  and  who  has  fet  us 
an  example  of  every  benevolent  and  focial  virtue. 
We  admire,  with  gratitude,  the  great  defign  of 
the  Chriftian  Religion,  to  beget  in  us  the  fublime 
difpofitions  of  reverence,  love  and  gratitude  to 
God, — of  righteoufnefs,  friendihip  and  benevo- 


lence  towards  one  another — and  of  humility  and 
purity  of  heart,  whereby  we  may,  in  fome  mca- 
fure,  be  fitted  for  the  man  (ions  of  eternal  blcfled- 
nefs.  Enable  us  to  practice  the  duties  of  our  fe- 
veral  ftations,  by  an  uninterrupted  courfe  of  pro- 
bity, generofity  and  mercy.  Remembering  tliat 
we  were  born  not  folely  for  our  own  good,  but 
for  the  good  of  others,  may  we  be  led  to  the  ex- 
ercife  of  Charity  and  Benevolence,  towards  all  our 
fellow-creatures,  and  confider  ourfelves  as  indif- 
pcnfibly  obliged  to  contribute  all  in  our  power  to 
their  happinefs.  We  thank  thee  for  every  op- 
portunity, with  which  thou  art  plcafcd  to  in- 
dulge us,  of  celebrating  thy  glorious  perfections, 
?.nd  of  being  animated  to  an  imitation  of  that  per- 
fect example  thy  Son  has  fet  us  in  the  Gofpel. — 
We  humbly  implore  thy  blefling  upon  all  Charit- 
able Societies  and  Inftitutions,  which  have  for 
their  object  the  alleviation  of  thole  miferies  to 
which  human  nature  is  incident.  In  a  particular 
manner,  we  alk  thy  direction  and  blefling  upon 
rhc  Society,  at  whofe  requeft  we  are  now  aflem- 
bled  in  this  Houfe  of  Prayer. — Imprefs  upon  the 
rninds  of  all  its  Members  thofe  charitable  and 
companionate  principles,  which  our  Divine  Re- 
PeemePv  inculcated  by  his  precepts,  and  enforced 
by  his  example.  Make  thislnflitution  a  blefling 
to  the  community,  and  the  means  of  relieving 
i  taking  bv  the  hand  the  female  Or- 


7 

phan,  whofe  fathers  and  whole  mothers,  by  thy 
providence,  have  forfaken   them,  of  prefer  ving 
them  from  the  mares  and  temptations  of  a  vicious 
world,  of  inftructing  their   ignorance,    leading 
them  in  the  paths  of  virtue  and  religion,    and 
making  them  uieful  members  of  fociety.     Grant 
thy  aid  and  afiiftance  to  the  Managers  and  other 
Officers,  and  enable  them  to  perform  their  feveral 
duties  with  prudence  and  fidelity.    And  O  Thou  \ 
in    whom  the   fatherlefs   find    mercy,  we  com- 
mend to  thee  thefe  female  Orphans  ;  take  poiTeC 
fion   of  their  hearts  by  the    influences  of  thy 
grace  ;    may  they  early  know  thee  the  God  of 
their  fathers,  and  ferve  thee  wTith  a  perfect  heart 
and  a  willing  mind.      Inftil  into  their   tender 
minds  the  principles  of  virtue  and  true  religion  ; 
as  they  increafe  in  years,  may  they  increafe  in  e- 
very  ufeful  accomplishment  ;  make  them  thank- 
ful for  the  provifion  made  for  them,  by  this  So- 
ciety ;  may  they  be  prefer ved  from  the  marcs 
and  temptations  of  a  vicious  world,   be  made 
bleflings  in  their  generation,  and  finally  obtain 
the  mercy  of  the  Lord  Jesus  unto  eternal  life. — 
Sanctify  to  them,  and  to  this  Society  the  lofs  they 
have  lately  met  with,  by  the  deceafe  of  a  prudent, 
tender  and  difcreet  Governefs,*  who  led  them  in 
the  paths  of  virtue,— fet  before  them  an  example 

•  Mrs.  Baker,  the  Governed  cf  the  Afylum,  died  a  for  weeks  ! 
•  liis  Anniversary. 


of  piety,  and  inftructed  them  with  kindnefs  and 
•ificction. — May  her  Succeflfor  be  enabled  to  per- 
form  her  duty  with  fimilar  fidelity  and  difcretiom 
Blefs,  we  befecch  thee,  this  town,  and  all  orders 
and  degrees  of  citizens  in  it, — may  the  rifing  ge- 
neration be  a  feed  to  fervc  thee,  and  remember 
their  Creator  in  the  days  of  their  youth.  We 
thank  thee  for  the  great  meafure  of  health  en- 
joyed by  us,  while  thou  art  pleafed  to  vifit  other 
cities  with  the  fevere  ftrokes  of  thy  rod.  Do 
thou,  who  art  the  Lord  of  life  and  death,  of 
ficknefs  and  of  health,  whofe  power  no  creature 
is  able  to  refift,  regard  our  fupplications  in  behalf 
of  thofe  places,  which  thou  art  pleafed  to  vifit 
with  great  ficknefs  and  mortality.  In  the  midft 
of  judgment,  O  Lord,  remember  mercy.  Com- 
mand the  deftroying  Angel  to  ceafe  from  punifh- 
ing,  and  withdraw  from  them  the  grievous  fick- 
nefs thou  haft  been  pleafed  to  inflict.  Prevent, 
we  befecch  thee,  the  further  fpread  of  thofe  ma- 
lignant diftempers,  and  may  the  lives  and  the 
health  of  thy  people  be  precious  in  thy  fight. — 
May  thy  fatherly  correction  have  its  due  influ- 
ence upon  us  all,  by  leading  us  to  confider  how 
frail  and  uncertain  our  life  is,  that  we  may  apply 
our  hearts  unto  that  heavenly  wifdom,  which,  in 
the  end,  will  bring  us  to  evcrlafting  life,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.      AMEN. 


<yl   QDucourdt*  8fc. 


PSALM,  XXVII,  10. 

When  my  Father  and  my  Mother  forfake  me,  then  the  lord 
will  take  me  up. 

1  HIS  day,  my  refpected  auditors,  is  this 
fcripture  fulfilled  in  your  fight.  You  behold  be- 
fore you  a  number  of  female  Orphans,*  the  moll 
helplefs  of  our  fpecies,  whofe  fathers  and  whofe 
mothers,  by  the  providence  of  God,  have  forfak- 
en  them,  thro'  the  inftrumentality  of  a  recently 
organized Inftitution  jtaken  up,  by  that  benevolent 
Being,  who  is  good  to  all,  and  whofe  tender  mer- 
cies are  over  all  his  works. 

In  behalf  of  this  infant  Inftitution,  I  am  now  to 
become  the  advocate,  and  we  are  allembled  to  pro- 
mote the  caufe  of  our  moft  holy  religion,  by  pro- 
moting the  exercife  of  its  leading  duty.  We  are 
affcmblect  topractife  the  god-like  virtue  of  Charity ; 
to  fhow  our  love  to  the  Almighty,  by  our  love  to 

*  Twenty-fire  of  the  Orphans,  belonging  to  the  Afylum.  were  pre 
and  placed  in  a  confpicucus  place  before  the  audits 

B 


histreaturei.  ambled  toprovidcforthofe 

whofe  fathers  and  whofe  mothers  arc  gone  down 
t  o  the  Blent  grave  ;  who  have  no  father  but  God, 
who  has  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  the  Members  of 
this  Inititution,  to  refcue  thefe  Orphans  from  a 
ftate  of  abject  poverty  ;  to  prcferve  them  from  the 
devious  paths  of  fin,  by  inftilling  into  their  ten- 
der minds  the  principles  of  virtue  and  religion, 
and  to  inftruct  them  to  be  ufeful  members  of  fo- 
cicty.  Objects  thefe,  worthy  of  our  higheft  en- 
comiums, and  which  do  honour  to  the  female  fex. 

In  their  bofoms,  indeed,  we  are  taught  to  look 
for  all  the  milder  virtues  of  humanity,  and  thofe 
endearing  fympathies  from  which  the  chief  com- 
forts of  life  originate.  Formed  by  nature,  per- 
haps, for  entering  into  the  joys  and  griefs  of 
others  with  a  more  exquifite  fenfibility  than  men, 
we  expect  ixom  them  the  willing  tribute  of  a 
tear,  whenever  calamity  or  misfortune  calls  for 
it  ;  and  tho'  a  heart,  capable  of  lively  affections, 
requires  the  ftricteft  difcipline,  and  is  fometimes 
in  danger  of  mifcry  and  guilt  ;  yet  it  fhould  not 
be  forgotten,  that  it  is  often  alfo  the  fource  of 
10ft  difinterelted  and  benevolent  actions,  that 

i  dignify  and  adorn  human  nature. 

Numerous  tcftimonies  might  be  collected  from 
the  f.icrcd  volume,  to  warrant  and  confirm  this 
m.     The  great  Jewilh  Legiflator  was  Glved 


1 1 


from  deftiuchon  by  the  generous  compaflion  or  a 
woman.     By  the  crafty  and  inhuman   rj 
Pharoah,  King  of  Egypt,  he,  as  well  as  every  other 
male  child  of  the  Hebrews,  was  ordered  to  be  call; 
into  the  river  ;  but  his  daughter  fee  ing  him  thus 
expofed,  had  compaiTion  upon  the  weeping  babe, 
tho'  one  of  the  Hebrew's  children.     But  her  com- 
paiTion was  not  a  tranllcnt  feeling,  that  vanifhed 
with  the  fight  of  the  object  -,  it  was  not  a  tear  of 
pity,  that  flarted  involuntarily  from  her  eye,  and 
was  then  wiped  away  without  any  further  remem- 
brance ;  for  we  find  that  fhe  nurfed  him  at  her 
own  expence  \  and  as  he  grew  up,  becoming  flill 
more  pleafed  with  the  object,  of  her  charity,   fhe 
adopted  him  for  her  fon.     It  was  the  protecting 
power  of  fenfibility  that  Oieltered  the  helplefs  in- 
fant, nurfed  him  thro*  his  childhood,  and  enlarg- 
ed his  mind  with  fcience.      The  Old  Teftament 
will  furnifh  us  with  many  more  inftances  of  the 
fame  kind  and  fympathizing  difpofkion  in  the 
female  fex. 

The  New  Teftament  alfo,is  not  wanting  in  ex- 
amples of  the  fame  kind.  St.  Paul,  tho'  perfecu- 
ted  from  one  corner  of  the  world  to  another,  tho' 
nothing  but  cruelty, dangers  anddiftrelles  follow- 
ed him,  wherever  he  went,  was  not  deftitute  of 
fome  few  friends,  who  fhared  all  his  forrows,  and 
ferved  to  mitigate  all  his  calamities.  But  of  thefe 
friends,  fome  of  the  mofl  remarkable  were  women. 


12 


But  there  is  a  further  inftance  of  Divine  com- 
panion recorded  in  the  Gofpel,  which  claims  the 
gratitude  of  the  whole  world.     When  the  blef- 
fed  Saviour  of  mankind  wanted   even  the  necef- 
faries  of  life  ;  when  he  was  defpifed  and  reject- 
ed of  men,  and  fo  poor  that  he  had  not  where  to 
lay  his  head,  we  read  in  the  plain  and  unaffected 
language  of  the  Apoftles,   and  we  ought  ever  to 
remember  it  with  gratitude,  that  certain  good 
women   miniftered   to  him    of    their  fubftance. 
Andtho'  Judas  betrayed  him,  and  Peter,  after  all 
his  paffionate  vows,  both  forfook  and  denied  him, 
— yet  the  fidelity  of  the  few  pious  women  who 
attended  him,  remained  firm  and  unfhaken  to  the 
laft  ;  for  three  of  them,  St.  Mark  tells  us,  went 
to  perform  the  laft  melancholy  offices  to  his  mem. 
ory,  and  difcovered  that  friendfhip  and  devotion 
for  their  Lord,  after  his  death,  which  diftinguifh- 
ed  their  fer vices  to  him  while  he  was  alive.  Before 
any  of  his  other  difciples  attended,  they  fought 
his  fepulchre,  and  with  the  rich  fpices  of  the  Eaft, 
meant  to  embalm  the  facred  corpfe.     This  was 
the  laft  duty  that  piety  could  difcharge.    It  fprang 
from  the  foft  emotions  of  the  heart,  when  deep- 
ly impreffed  with  forrow,  and  warmed  with  the 
fervor  of  devotion.     It  was  the  duty  which  the 
awful  and  affe&ing   occafion  feemed  to  require, 
and  which  well  fuited  the  gentlenefs  of  their  na^ 
ture  to  perform. 


*3 

I  might  adduce  other  inftances,  but  inflead  of 
enlarging  upon  this  topic,  an  apology  is  necefiary 
for  having  deviated  from  my  fubject..     It  is  not 
my  intention  to  utter  an  Eulogy  on  female  fenfi- 
bility,  nor  to  be  the  Encomiaft  of  this  Aflbciation, 
but  to  intereft  your  feelings  in  behalf  of  their  In- 
ftitution,   and  to  plead  the  caufe  of  childhood, 
hclpleis  poverty,  and  misfortune.     If  I  have  been 
rather  diffufe  upon  this   pleafing   fubject.,   it  has 
been  from  an  indulgence  of  the  hope,  that  by  ex- 
hibiting a  few  inftances  of  the  fex's  virtue,  they 
would  not,   on  the  prefent  occafion,  be  unmind- 
ful of  their  dignity  -y  but  like  the  perfons  now 
mentioned,  find  a  blefiednefs   in   giving  ;    and 
efpecially,  like  the  amiable  daughter  of  Pharaoh, 
feel  for  the  diftreffes  of  childhood. 

Numerous  are  the  arguments  in  favour  of 
Charity,  which  crowd  from  every  quarter.  Wav- 
ing the  beautiful  and  forcible  leflbns  to  be  drawn 
from  nature,  as  leading  into  a  field  too  extenfive 
for  the  plan  of  this  difcourfe,  and  as  unneceflary  ; 
permit  me  to  adduce  a  few  arguments  from  Re- 
velation in  favour  of  this  virtue  in  general,  and 
particularly  for  that  fpecies  of  it,  which  now  calls 
for  your  attention, — Charity  to  Children. 

The  morality  of  Chriftians  mull  reft  chiefly  on 
the  authority  of  Revelation;  to  them  it  is  fufficient 


to  mention,  that  this  is  the  leading  virtue  of  the 
written  law  of  God% 

In  the  firft  place  then,  let  us  confider  that  riches 
are  the  gift  of  God,  and  afk  ourfelves  why  he  has 
been  pleafed  to  bellow  them  upon  us7  Surely  not 
to  feed  our  vanity,  nor  pamper  luxury.  They  were 
not  given  for  covetoufnefs  to  hoard,  or  for  prodi- 
gality to  fquander. — No,  as  they  are  the  gifts  of 
God,  they  were  intended  for  our  good,  for  the  ex- 
ercife  of  virtue,  to  furnim  liberality,  to  make  us  the 
inftruments  of  his  mercy,  the  channels  thro'  which 
his  provilion  for  the  poor  mould  pafs,  and  enrich 
us  with  good  works,  by  relieving  their  indigence. 
The  poor  we  have  always  withus,  anditis  by  means 
of  their  poverty,  that  we  may  make  our  riches, 
bleffings  indeed  ;  as  we  have  thereby  an  opportu- 
nity of  employing  them  to  the  beft  purpofes,  the 
comforting  our  brethren,  and  of  exhibiting  that 
honor  and  love,  which  we  always  owe,  and  ought 
always  to  be  paying  to  the  bountiful  giver  of 
them. 

It  is  from  no  defect  or  failing  of  the  incx- 
hauftible  ftores  of  divine  goodnefs,  that  pover- 
ty exifts  among  the  children  of  men.  Had  it 
been  as  agreeable  to  infinite  wifdom,  as  it  was  eafy 
to  almighty  power,GoD  might  have  made  the  fame 
abundance  and  plenty  common  to  all  mankind, 
and  left  no  room  for  the  foolifh  cavils  againft 
Providence,  from  the  prcfent  unequal  diftribution 


of  the  good  things  of  this  world  :  Or,  fincc  it 
hath  pleafed  Him  to  make  the  world  confift,  as  it 
docs,  of  rich  and  poor,  he,  who  thro'  the  whole 
fcripture,  declares  fuch  a  tender  regard  for  the 
poor,  might  fupply  their  necefftties  with  his  own 
hand.  He  that  fed  the  Ifraelites  in  a  barren  wil- 
dernefs  with  angels  food,  and  bread  from  heaven, 
and  preferved  their  garments  from  wearing  out 
or  waxing  old  :  He  that  fed  his  Prophet  by  rav- 
ens, and  blefled  the  poor  widow's  handful  of  meal 
and  crufe  of  oil  fo  that  neither  of  them  wafted 
or  failed,  could  ftill,  if  he  faw  fit,  without  calling 
in  the  help  of  the  rich,  relieve  all  the  wants  of  his 
creatures  himfelf  ;  but  he  chufes  to  fufpend  his  al- 
mighty power,  and  to  fend  man  to  man  for  re- 
lief and  fupport,  not  only  that  he  might  make 
trial  of  our  faith  and  affection  to  him,  but  that  he 
might  endear  us  alfo  to  each  other,  and  diffufe 
continually,  thro'  the  whole  intelligent  creation, 
a  divine  principle  of  mutual  love. 

"  That  induftry   which  keeps   the  world  in 

"  motion,  that  fociety,  which,  by  mutual  wants, 

"  cements  mankind  together  ;  and  that  charity 

"  which  is  the  bond  of  perfection,  would  never 

"  have  a  place  nor  a  name,  but  from  the  prefent 

"  ftate  of  things.     Thus  the  enjoyments  of  life 

"  are  grafted  upon  its  wants  ;  from  natural  evil 

"  arifes  moral  good,  and  the   fufferings  of  fome 

Ci  contribute  to  the  happinefs  of  all." 


i6 

Such  being  the  flate  of  human  affairs,  charity,  or 
that  difpofition  which  leads  us  to  fupply  the 
wants,  and  alleviate  the  fufferings  of  the  unfortu- 
nate, as  well  as  bear  with  their  infirmities,  muft 
be  a  duty  of  capital  importance.  Accordingly, 
it  is  enjoined  in  our  holy  religion,  as  being  the 
chief  of  the  virtues.  Nay,  it  is  afligned  as  the  teft 
and  criterion,  by  which  we  are  to  diftinguifh  the 
difciples  of  Jesus,  and  it  will  be  felected  at  the 
great  day,  as  being  that  part  of  the  character, 
which  is  moft  decifive  of  the  life,  and  according 
to  which  the  laft  fentence  will  turn. 

Secondly — Acts  of  kindnefs  to  our  fellow  crea- 
tures in  diftrefs,  are  the  moft  fuitable  returns  of 
gratitude,  that  we  can  offer  to  that  Almighty 
Benefactor,  who  is  conftantly  fhowering  his  bleff- 
ings  upon  us.  Innumerable  are  the  benefits 
which  flow  to  us  from  his  bountiful  hand.  He 
daily  loadeth  us  with  benefits,  and  crowneth  us 
with  loving  kindnefs  and  tender  mercies.  All 
that  we  have,  and  all  that  we  hope  for,  are  folely 
from  his  free  goodnefs.  For  our  lives,  our  liber- 
ty, our  property  ;  our  health  of  body,  and  found- 
nefs  of  mind  ;  thofe  private  and  domeftic  com- 
forts which  are,  in  a  great  meafure,  the  lot  of 
every  one  ;  but  above  all,  for  the  means  of  grace, 
and  the  hope  of  immortal  glory,  we  fland  indebt- 
ed purely  to  his  undeferved  mercy  and  grace,  who 


'7 

is  our  preferver,  our  conftant  bcncfa&or,  our  kind 
and  loving  father.     And  what  Jh  all  we  render  to  the 
Lord  for  all  his  benefits  ?    Our  goodnefs  extendeth  not 
to  him.     We  cannot  be  profitable  to  God,  as  he  that  is 
wife  may  be  profitable  to  himfelf — No  :  but  he  is  gra- 
cioufly  pleafed  to  transfer  his  claim  to  the  poor 
and  diftrefTed.     Bounty  to  them  he  is  pleafed  to 
confider  as  beneficence  to  himfelf.     He  accepts  it 
as  gratitude  ;  he  views  it  as  a  return  for  his  fa- 
vours.    Nay,  the  Scripture  carries  the  idea  far- 
ther, and  reprefents  giving  to  the  poor  as  lending 
to  the  Lord.     The  Almighty  condefcends  to 
confider  himfelf  as  laid  under  an  obligation,  by 
our  a&s  of  charity,  by  imparting,  at  his  com- 
mand, and  in  gratitude  to  him,  fomething  upon 
our  poor  brethren,  of  what  he  has  bellowed  upon 
us.     How  good  and  gracious  is  our  heavenly  Fa- 
ther in  thus  caring  for  the  diftrefTes  of  his  crea- 
tures, and  drawing  us  by  fuch  endearing  ties  to 
their  relief! — Praife  him,  ye  fons  of  men  ! — Praifc 
him,  ye  angels  above  ! — For  his  mercy  is  bound- 
lefs  as  his  power,  and  his  love  tranfeends  heaven's 
higheft  heights. 

A  third  argument,  for  this  duty,  may  be 
drawn  from  the  near  relation  which  fubfifls  be- 
tween us,  and  the  objects  of  our  charity.  Are 
they  not  our  brethren  or  fifters  ;  of  the  fame  ne- 
ceflities  to  which  we  ourfelves  are  fubjecl:  -7  chil- 
c 


28 

.  of  the  fame  common  parent  ;  the  workman  - 
fhip  of  the  fame  hands,  and  in  the  elTential  ingre- 
dients of  our  nature  the  fame.  For  did  not  he  that 
we,  fays  Job,  make  him,  and  did  not  one  fajhion 
us  in  the  womb  ? — In  the  ftrong  and  elegant  lan- 
guage of  the  prophet  Ifaiah,  we  may  fay,  that  to 
deny  bread  to  the  hungry,  lodging  to  the  outcaft, 
and  covering  to  the  naked,   is  hiding  a  man's  felf 

his  ciunjlejh.  Are  not  the  objects  of  our  cha- 
rity alfo,  the  profeiTors  of  the  fame  common  faith, 
and  heirs  of  the  fame  common  hope  ? — Are  they 
not  alfo,  partakers  of  the  fame  glorious  promifes, 
and  been  purchafed  and  purified  by  the  blood  of 
the  fame  common  Saviour  ? — Is  he  a  man  then, 
who  can  be  unconcerned  at  the  neceflities  of  a 
fellow-traveller  upon  the  fame  road  ?  The  ties  of 
family,  of  kindred,  of  country,  ought  all  to  have 
their  demands  firft  fatisfied  as  they  ftand  firft  in  the 
order  of  nature  ;  after  thefe,the  common  connec- 
tions of  humanity  put  in  a  claim,  which  requires 
to  be  heard.  As  men,  then,  we  are  obliged  to 
pay  attention  to  thofe  of  our  own  fpecies.  God, 
who  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  the  nations  of 
the  earth,  expects  from  us,  that  we  mould  not 
hide  ourfelvcs  from  our  own  flefh. 

Fourthly — The  precepts  of  our  holy  religion 
enjoin  this  duty  upon  us  in  the  ftrongeft  manner. 
But  having  premifed  thefe  few,  but  forcible  ar- 


guments,  in  favour  of  Charity  in  general,  1  fhali 
confine  myfelf,  in  the  feleclion  of  texts  under  this 
head,  to  that  particular  kind  of  Charity,  which 
comes  more  immediately  under  our  prefent  con- 
sideration, I  mean  Charity  to  Children. 

In  the  writings  of  Mofes,  we  fee  repeated  in- 
junctions of  liberality  to  thole  in  want.  Hear 
how  that  faithful  oracle  of  divine  truth  inflrucls 
and  commands  the  Ifraelites. — "  Thou  fhalt  not 
"  harden  thy  heart,  nor  ihut  thy  hand  from  thy 
"  poor  brother.  For  the  poor  {hall  not  ceafe  out 
"  of  the  land  ;  therefore,  I  command  thee,  faying, 
"  thou  fhalt  open  thy  hand  wide  unto  thy  broth- 
"  er,  to  thy  poor,  and  to  thy  needy  in  thy  land. 
"  Ye  ihall  not  afflict  any  widow,  or  fatherlefs 
"  child.  When  thou  cutteft  down  thy  harveft, 
"  and  haft  forgotten  a  fheaf  in  the  field,  thou 
"  fhalt  not  go  and  fetch  it,  it  fhall  be  for  the 
"  flranger,  for  the  fatherlefs  and  for  the  widow. 
"  When  thou  beatefl  thine  olive  tree,  thou  fhalt 
"  not  go  over  the  boughs  again  ;  it  fhall  be  for 
"  the  flranger,  for  Khz  fatherlefs,  and  for  the  wi- 
"  dow.  When  thou  gathered  the  grapes  of  thy 
"  vineyard,  thou  fhalt  not  glean  it  afterwards  ; 
u  it  fhall  be  for  the  flranger,  for  the  fatherlefs, 
"  and  for  the  widow." 

No  lefs  urgent  are  the  holy  Prophets  in  re- 
commending this  virtue. 


10 


In  the  2d  book  of  Kings,  we  have  an  affecting 
defcription  of  the  diftreffed  fituation  of  an  afflict- 
ed widow,  addreffed  to  the  prophet  Elijah.  A 
tender  mother,  oppreffed  with  grief,  expecting 
every  moment  to  be  deprived  of  two  fatherlefs 
children,  by  a  mercilcfs  creditor,  accofts  the  hu- 
mane prophet, with  the  unaffected  language, which 
naturally  flowed  from  a  heart  overwhelmed  with 
forrow,  and  broken  by  misfortunes.  Thefe  were 
her  pathetic  words  : — "  Thy  fervant,  my  huf- 
"  band,  is  dead,  and  thou  knoweft,  that  thy  for- 
"  vant  did  fear  the  Lord,  and  the  creditor  is 
"  come  to  take  unto  him  my  two  fons  for  bond- 
"  men.  And  Elijah  faid,  what  mall  I  do  for 
"  thee  ?" 

The  good  prophet,  no  doubt,  at  the  fight  of 
fo  moving  an  object,  was  fenfibly  touched  with 
the  moft  tender  fentiments  of  companion,  and  we 
may  reafonably  fuppofe  his  aged  eyes  were  bath- 
ed in  tears.  For  who  could  behold  an  affectionate 
mother,  with  her  innocent  children  fondling 
round  her,  ignorant  of  her  diftrefs,  the  devoted 
victims  to  a  mercilefs  creditor,  without  fhedding 
a  fyn.pathetic  tear  : — Look,  then,  my  refpected 
friends,  upon  thefe  Orphans,  whofe  fathers  and 
mothers  have  both  forfaken  them,  not,  indeed, 
the  devoted  victims  of  a  mercilefs  creditor,  for 


21 

our  laws  allow  no  fuch  inhuman  practices,*  but 
deflined  to  poverty,  diftrefs  and  temptation,  per- 
haps, worfe  than  bondage,  and  afk  yourfelvcs, 
as  the  good  prophet  did  the  diftreffed  widow, 
What  JJo all  we  do  for  you  f — It  is  not  in  your  power, 
as  it  was  in  the  prophet's,  to  work  a  miracle  for 
their  afiiftance,  nor  is  it  neceflary  ;  but  it  is  in 
your  power  to  aid  and  aflift  this  Inftitution  to 
fupply  their  wants,  and  thofe  of  others  in  fimilar 
circumftances. 

In  the  prophet  Jeremiah,  we  fee  the  Almighty 
himfelf,  in  the  midft  of  the  fevereft  denunciations 
againft  a  rebellious  people,  relenting  in  mercy  to- 
wards the  fatherlefs  and  widows. — "  Leave  thy 
"  fatherlefs  children,  I  will  prefervc  them  alive, 
and  let  thy  widows  truft  in  me." 

Job,  in  his  own  practice  and  example,  has 
fhewn  us, — "  That  the  rich  fhould  not  withhold 
"  the  poor  from  their  defirc,  nor  caufe  the  eyes 
**  or  the  widow  to  fail — fhould  not  eat  their  mor- 
"  fels  themfelves  alone,  and  the  fatherlefs  not  eat 
"  thereof — fhould  not  fee  any  perifh  without  a 
"  cloathing,  or  the  poor  without  a  covering — but 
tc  order  their  bounty  fo,  that  being  warmed  by 
"  the  fleece  of  their  fheep,  his  loins  fhould  blefs 

#  The  Jewifh  law  confidered  children  as  the  goods  of  their 
parents,  who  had  a  right  to  fell  them  for  feven  years,  to  pay 
iheir  debts,  and  their  creditors  could  compel  them  to  do  it. 


V  22 


%t  them/' — I  might    adduce    many    other  texts, 
would  the  time  allow. 

I  would  only  obferve  here,  That  if,  under  the 
Mofaic  difpenfation,  which  breathed  a  fpirit  of 
fervility  more  than  love, — of  juftice  more  than 
mercy,  God  required  fo  much  companion  and 
benignity,  efpecially  to  children,  how  much  itron- 
ger  muft  be  the  obligations  of  this  nature  from 
the  free,  the  mild,  and  the  benevolent  genius  of 
the  Gofpel  ? 

Permit  me,  then,  as  briefly  as  poflible,  to  en- 
force the  practice  of  Charity  to  children,  on  a 
more  facred  ground,  and  appeal  to  you  as  Chrif- 
tians. 

Our  bleffed  Lord,  on  this  occafion,  as  on  moll 
others,  has  taught  us  our  duty,  both  by  precept 
and  example.  He  knew  the  wants  of  childhood  ; 
he  knew  their  helplefsnefs,  and  that  they  could 
neither  recommend  themfelves  to  notice  and  fup- 
port,  by  contributing  to  mens*  pleafures,  or  pro- 
moting their  interefts.  Innocence  is  their  claim 
to  protection  4  and  ftrong  as  it  is,  at  all  times,  is 
notwithstanding  doubly  fo,  when  threatened  with 
danger,  or  furrounded  with  diftrefs.  The  Savi- 
our of  mankind  knew  this,  and  though  he,  who 
had  not  where  to  lay  his  head,  could  neither  mi- 
^nifter  to  them  food  or  raiment  ;  yet  to  manifeft 
his  affe&ion  for  them,   he  did  that  which  was 


«3 

much  better  ;  he  took  them  up  in  his  arms,  put 
his  hands  upon  them,  and  bleffed  them.  Still 
further  to  make  known  his  love,  and  to  incul- 
cate this  divine  principle  of  Charity,  he  recom- 
mended them  to  the  kindnefs  of  all  the  world,  and 
that  in  the  ftrongeft  manner,  when  he  told  man- 
kind, that  "  whofoever  received  one  fuch  little 
child  in  my  name,  receiveth  me."  Again,  he  gives 
us  to  underftand,  that  even  the  fmaller  bounty  to 
children  (hall not  pafs  without  an  ample  recompenfe 
from  heaven,  for,  fays  he,  "  Whofoever  (hall  give 
"  to  drink  unto  one  of  thefe  little  ones,  a  cup  of 
"  cold  water,  in  the  name  of  a  difciple,  verily  I 
"  fay  unto  you,  he  fhall  in  no  wife  lofe  his  re- 
«  ward." 

And  it  is  a  remarkable  circumftance,  that 
wherever  we  fee  the  divine  law  abridged,  and 
religion  fammed  up,  in  a  few  main  particulars, 
the  duty  of  companion  and  beneficence  conftant- 
ly  forms  a  part.  He  hath  fhewed  thee,  O  man, 
what  is  good,  and  what  doth  the  Lord  require 
of  thee,  but  to  do  juftly,  to  love  mercy,  and  to 
walk  humbly  with  God.  St.  James's  fyftem  of 
pure  religion  and  undefiled  before  God  and  the 
Father  is  this  :  —  To  vifit  the  fatherlefs  and  the 
widow  in  their  affliction,  and  to  keep  himfelf 
unfpotted  from  the  world. 


24 

To  ftretch  forth  the  hand  of  pity  to  your  icU 
low  creatures  in  diftrefs,  to  ftrengthen  the  feeble 
hands,  to  take  by  the  hand  the  helplefs  female 
Orphan, and  to  lead  her  forth  through  the  fnares  of 
youth,  into  the  path  of  ufefulnefs  and  virtue — 
this  is  the  godlike  office,  my  brethren,  which  the 
resectable  Aflbciation,  at  whofe  requeft  we  arc 
now  aflembled,  call  upon  you  to  aflift  them  in 
executing.  Can  you  poflibly  reluct  in  generoufly 
aiding  fo  benevolent  a  work  ? 

The  Directreftes  of  the  Bofton  Female  Afylum, 
have  lately  publifhed  a  full  account  of  the  rife, 
progrefs  and  prefent  ftate  of  their  infant  Inftitu- 
tion,  with  the  rules  and  regulations  they  have  a- 
dopted  for  its  management.  This  account,  I 
truft,  is,  as  it  ought  to  be,  in  the  hands  of  every 
one,  and  precludes  the  neceflity  of  my  reciting 
them  in  this  place.  They  have  there  expofed  to 
public  infpection  an  exact  ftate  of  their  Funds  ;  of 
all  the  monies  they  have  received,  and  in  what 
manner  it  has  been  expended.  The  Subfcribers 
to  the  Inftitution,  as  well  as  other  Benefadtors, 
mud  be  convinced  by  the  Treafurer's  accounts, 
that  their  Charity  is  faithfully  applied,  and  pru- 
dently expended. 

The  Act  of  Incorporation,  which  the  Legifla- 
turc  of  this  Commonwealth  has  granted  to  this 
novel  Inftitution,  will  enable  the  Managers  to  fe- 


cure  their  Funds,  and  tranfact  their  affairs  under 
the  function  of  law.  And  every  one,  who  reads 
the  plan  adopted  for  the  education,  and  inftruc- 
tion  of  the  objects  of  this  Charity,  muft  fee,  that  it 
is  wifely  devifed,  constructed  upon  the  moft  ceco- 
nomical  methods  of  training  Females  to  virtue 
and  ufefulnefs  ;  and  the  end  muft  be  acknowledg- 
ed the  moft  benevolent  and  important  that  can 
be  conceived. 

To  delineate  this  plan,  and  to  recite  the  me- 
thods adopted  by  the  Managers  for  carrying  it 
into  effect,  I  have  already  obferved,  as  they  are 
before  the  public,  is  unneceffary,  and  would  be  a 
mifapplication  of  the  prefent  time.  To  inculcate 
upon  you  the  benevolence  and  humanity  of  the 
defign,  and  how  neceffary  fuch  an  Inftitution  is, 
in  this  populous  town,  is  equally  unneceffary;  and  I 
fhouldthink,that  the  understanding  andfeelings  of 
this  audience,  require  no  further  recommendation. 

If  additional  motives  to  the  exercife  of  your 
benevolence  are  wanting,  permit  me  to  obferve, 
that  it  is  the  object  of  this  Society,  to  raife  a  Fund 
for  the  permanent  eftabliftiment  of  this  Charity, 
to  extend  its  ufefulnefs,  and  to  enable  them,  with- 
out an  annual  Subfcription,  which  is  precarious, 
and  at  prefent  almoft  its  only  fupport,  to  continue 
its  exiftence  ;  and  therefore,  for  thefe  purpofes^ 
D 


implore  your  aid  by  an  annual  contribution. 

hold  the  objects  of  their  benevolence, and  fay, 
can  you  rcftife  your  afliftanceto  promote  this  work 
and  labour  of  love.  Remember  this  call  to  chari- 
ty and  kindnefs,  is  not  the  importunate  cry  of  the 
mendicant,  but  the  obfervation  of  female  diftrefs. 
And  while  lubject  to  be  impofed  upon  by  the  va- 
rious and  complicated  arts  of  diffimulation,  which 
are  daily  praclifed  in  the  world,  in  what  furer  chan- 
nel may  the  •  rich  tide  of  your  benevolence  flow, 
than  by  eafing  the  anguilh  of  a  widow's  heart, 
by  alluring  her,  that  an  Afylum  is  provided  for 
helplefs  Orphans,  whomlhe  is  about  to  leave, 
without  any  provifion  for  their  future  fupport, 
and  for  whom  ihe  fuffers  more  than  for  herfelf. — 
Such  is  the  fituation  of  the  objects  before  you. — 
Their  fathers  and  their  mothers  have  forfaken 
them.  You  know  them  to  be  poor,  you  know 
them  to  be  helplefs  ;  and  you  alfo  know,  that  no 
vice  or  fault,  on  their  parts,  brought  them  to  want, 
but  their  only  crime  is,  that  they  were  born  to  po- 
verty and  misfortune.  On  fuch  occalions,  the 
generous  fpirit  of  chriftian  love  may  diffufe  its 
benevolence,  unchecked  by  cautious  prudence, 
and  unreftrained  by  fufpicious  fears. 

What  an  heartfelt  fatisfacYion  mult  arife  to  a  feel- 
ing mind,  from  giving  food  and  raiment  to  help- 
poverty,  from  guarding  innocence  from  dan- 


*7 

ger,  and  leading  infant  virtue  into  the  bleflcd  path* 
of  godlinefs,  ufefulnefs  and  ibcial  duty.  How 
great  the  gratification  to  fee  thefe  hclplefs  little 
one?,  who  now  partake  of  your  charity,  thrive  and 
flourifh  under  its  benignant  influence,  "  as  the 
"  tender  plants  and  flowers  of  the  fpring  are  fof- 
"  tered  by  the  mild  virtues  of  the  morning  heat, 
"  and  the  kind  refreshment  of  the  evening  dews." 
Hereafter,  perhaps,  you  may  have  the  happinefs, 
of  feeing  them  bufied  in  the  ufeful  occupations  of 
life,  of  beholding  them  affectionate  and  induftri- 
ous  wives,  virtuous  and  exemplary  mothers,  feel- 
ing for  the  diftreffes  of  others,  and  endearing  the 
hours  of  focial  life. 

Ye  Daughters  of  Ifrael  ! — ye  fond  and  indul- 
gent Mothers  !  behold  the  diftrefs  to  which  your 
fex  is  liable,  and  the  wants  and  misfortunes  of  in- 
nocent Orphans.  Do  you  wifh  and  pray,  that 
your  tender  offspring  may  never  experience  fimi- 
lar  miferies — Embrace  the  happy  occafion  of  be- 
ing charitable,  with  a  certainty  of  being  ufeful. 
Here  you  will  find  enjoyment,  united  with  duty. 
For  nothing  can  afford  a  more  pleafing  fatisfaclion 
at  all  times,  arjd  efpecially  in  the  clofing  fcene  of 
life,  than  the  reflection  that  we  have  endeavour- 
ed tofupply  the  wants,  and  alleviate  the  diftrefles 
of  our  fellow  mortals.  Thefe  muft  be  pronounc- 
ed among  the  purcft  pleafures,  of  which  human 


28 

nature  is  fufceptiblc.  Thefe  are  holy  fatisfaclions 
that  will  never  defert  us.  Though  "  tongues 
"  fliall  ceafe,  and  knowledge  fhall  vanifli  away, 
"  yet  Charity  fhall  never  fail" — fhe  will  never  fail 
to  comfort  us,  when  this  world,  and  all  its  en- 
joyments, begin  to  fade  away. 

"When  the  mind,  deftitute  of  all  other  fupport, 
but  what  is  derived  from  Religion,  and  the  re- 
trofpecl  of  a  well  fpent  life,  looks  forward  to  the 
certain  approach  of  death,  then  mall  the  hope  that 
our  prayers,  and  our  alms  have  gone  up  for  a  me- 
morial before  God,  be  the  fource  of  our  greateft 
comfort.  Then  bleffed,  forever  blefled,  fliall  be 
the  merciful,  for  they  fhall  obtain  mercy. 

That  this  felicity  may  be  ours,  may  God  of 
his  infinite  mercy  grant,  through  the  merits  of 
Jesus  Christ,  to  whom,  with  the  Father,  and 
Holy  Ghost,  be  all  honour  and  glory,  might,  ma- 
jefty  and  dominion,  now  and  forever.     AMEN, 


19 

ORDER   of   PERRFOMANCE, 
On  the  Third  Anniverfary  of  the  Bofton  Female 

Asylum^  at   Trinity  Church,  Sept.  23,  1803. 

The  Mufical  part  of  the  Performance,  by  the 
Franklin  Society. 

ODE, 

INTRODUCTORY  TO  A  SACRED  CONCERT. 

HARK  !  what  diftant  Mufic  melts  upon  the  ear  ! 
So  fweet  the  tones,  the  fymphonies  fo  clear, 
Some  feraph  fare  has  touch'd  his  golden  lyre, 
And  praife  refounds  thro'  all  die  heavenly  choir. 
Ye  mortals  catch  the  foul  commanding  found, 
Learn  the  beft  theme,  and  chaunt  the  chorus  round, 
O  !  could  our  drains  the  rap'trous  notes  combine, 
Then  fhould  our  grateful  anthems  pour  along, 
The  foothing,  fwelling,  harmonies  of  fong, 
And  ev'ry  bread  would  glow  with  love  divine. 
Molt,  gracious  God  !   thy  humble  fuppliants  hear, 
Accept  the  tributary  lays  we  bring, 
Thy  power  we  own,  thy  majelty  revere, 
Thy  goodnefs  celebrate,  thy  glories  fing, 
And  oh,  may  all  in  one  grand  concert  raife 
To  thee  Hofannahs  of  unceafing  praife. 


2d.  Pfalms  Read,  after  which 

3d.  The  Glory  in  Excelfis^  Chaunted. 

GLORY  be  to  God  on  high  ;  and  on  earth  peace,  Good 
will  towards  men.  We  praife  thee,  we  blefs  thee,  we  worfriip 
thee  ;  we  glorify  thee,  we  give  thanks  to  thee  for  thy  great 
glory,  O,  Lord  God,  Heav'nly  King  !  God  the  Father  Al- 
mighty !  O  Lord  !  the  only  begotton  Son  Jefus  Chrift  !  O 
Lord  God  !  Lamb  of  God  !  Son  of  the  Father  !  who  takeil 
away  the  fin  of  the  world,  have  mercy  upon  us.  Thou  that 
takeft  away  the  fin  of  the  world,  have  mercy  upon  us.  Thou 
that  takeft  away  the  fin  of  the  world,  receive  our  prayer. — 
Thou  that  fitteft  at  the  right  hand  of  God  the  Father,  have 
mercy  upon  us :  For  thou  only  art  holy, thou  only  art  the  Lord  ! 
thou  only,  O  Chrift,  with  the  Holy  Ghoft,  art  moft  high,  in  the 
Glory  of  God  the  Father  !  AMEN. 


4th.  Collects  for  Evening  Service. 

5th.  ANNIVERSARY  HYMN. 

Bv  the  Rev.  Mr.  HARRIS. 

With  cheerful  notes  begin  the  flrain, 
To  Charity  fo  juftly  due  ; 
And  gratulate  this  Orphan  train, 
On  the  bed  hopes  they  ever  knew. 

No  more  complaining  fills  the  ftreet, 
Of  Children  who  deierted  roam, 
For  here  the  houfelefs  vagrants  meet, 
A  Benefaclor  and  a  home. 

And  Girls,  defencelefs,  wretched,  poor, 
Snatch'd  from  the  haunts  of  vice  and  care, 
From  ill  examples  here  fecure, 
Instruction  and  protection  (hare. 
Train'd  foon  in  wifdom's  pleafant  ways, 
And  taught  to  be  dilcreet  and  good, 
Virtue  will  be  through  all  their  days, 
From  habit  and  from  choice,  purfu'd. 
Then,  as  they  praife  each  Patroncfs, 
Who  bounty  and  afMance  lends, 
Join  them  in  prayers  that  God  would  blefs, 
The  injlituikn  and  its  friends. 

6th 

An  occafional  Prayer,  and  the  general  Thankfgiving. 
-th.  ODE, 

Written  for  tit  Occafton,  Br    Mr.  J.   HOMER3  Ji'S. 

I. 

WITH  hope  the  founding  lyre 

The  brt^aft  may  oft  infpire, 
And  roufe  to  ecftacy  the  raptur'd  foul  ; 

But  notes  of  purer  kind 

Invite  the  feeling  mind, 
Enlivening  iticams  of  blifs  for  Orphans  roll 

2. 

Oft  hath  the  mother  trae'd, 
With  every  beauty  grae'd, 
Its  father's  image  on  her  infant  child  ; 


JLL 

But  angels  mud  approve 
The  far  fuperior  love, 
;ch  Iheds  on  Orphans  its  effulgence  mild. 

3; 

Immortal  pow'rs  !  rejoice, 

Raife  your  applauding  voice, 
Thro'  Heaven's  high  arch  of  female  kindnefs  fing  * 

Departed  faints,  defcend, 

Here  with  your  offspring  blend, 
Borne  from  celedial  climes  on  feraph's  wing. 

4- 

The  golden  age,  renown'd, 

With  halcyon  blifs  was  crown'd, 
Each  field  with  yellow  bending  harveds  (hone  ; 

No  widow's  plaintive  figh, 

No  helplefs  Orphan's  cry 
Didurb'd  the  cottage,  or  approach'd  the  throne. 

5- 

But,  in  Bostonia's  days, 

The  nobleft  meed  of  praife, 
Flows  from  the  honed  and  the  grateful  poor  ; 

Here  woman  foothes  defpair, 

She  hears  the  Orphan's  prayer, 
And  thro'  the  paths  of  virtue  fliall  allure. 

6. 

Now  fancy  takes  her  flight 

To  azure  realms  of  light, 
Where  love  divine  enthron'd  fliall  ever  reign  ; 

Thence  (lie  will  e'er  impart 

Her  blelBngs  to  the  heart, 
Which  feeks  the  wretched,  and  allays  their  pain. 

7- 

Cherubic  choirs  proclaim 

Their  poeans  to  the  name 
Of  Charity,  the  friend  of  human  kind  ; 

Who,   like  the  orb  of  day, 

Illumes  the  ftar-pav'd  way 
To  thrones  etherial,  and  to  joys  refin'd. 


8th.       SERMON  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker. 


3* 


Hl'MN. 


i. 


See,  Ifracl's  gentle  Shepherd  (land, 
With  all  engaging  charms; 
Hirk,  ho-.v  lie  calls  the  tender  lambs 
And  takes  them  in  his  aims ! 

2. 
Permit  them  to  approach,  he  cries, 
Nor  i'corn  their  humble  name  ; 
It  wa?  to  blcfs  fuch  fouls  as  thefc, 
The  Lord  of  angels  came. 

3* 

Webring  themLord,  with  grattful  hearts, 
And  yield  them  up  to  thec  ; 
Rejoic'd  that  we  ourfelves  are  thine, 
Thine  let  our  offspring  be. 

4- 
Ye  little  flock,  With  plcafure  hear  ; 
Ye  children,  feek  his  face  ; 
And  fly  with  tranfport  to  receive 
The  blcfTmgs  of  his  grace. 

5- 
If  Orphans  they  are  left  behind, 
Thy  guardian  care  wc  truft  ; 
That  tho"t  fhall  heal  our  bleeding  hearts, 
When  weeping  o'er  their  duft. 


nth.  INVOCATION  TO  CHARITY. 
Come,  Charity,  with  goodnefs  crown'd* 
Encircled  in  thy   heavenly  robe  ; 
Diffufe  thy  blcflings  all  around 
To  ev'ry   corner  of  {he  globe. 

See  where  fhe  comes  with  power  to  blefs> 
With  open  hands  and  tender  heart ; 
Which  wounded  it  at  nun's  diftrefs, 
And  bleeds  at  every  human  fmart.       i 

12th    COLLECTION,    and  ivbUe  making 
TEXTS  OF  SCRIPTURE,  read. 


ODE. 


xoth.     CONCLUDING  PRATERS. 


13th. 

Child  of  the  fummer,  charming  Rofe, 
No  longer  in  confinement  lie  , 
Arife  !    to  light  thy  form  dirclofe, 
Rival  the  fpangles  of  the  fky. 
The  rains  are  gone,  the  dorms  are  o'er, 
Winter  retires  to  make  the  way, 
Come  then  thou  fweetly  blufhing  flow'r, 
Come  lovely  flranger,  come  away. 

The  Sun  is  drefl  in  beaming  fmilcs, 
To  give  thy  beauties  to  the  day, 
Young  Zephyrs  wait  with  gcntleft  gales, 
To  fan  thy  bofom  as  they  play. 


i4th.— The  BLESSING. 


Uliiuor 

I    Gaylord  Bros.,  Inc. 

Makers 
Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

PAT.  JAN  21,  1508 


